The European Cup Final between Manchester United and Barcelona at Wembley Stadium is expected to be a massive cash cow for all involved, and generate a record cumulative economic windfall of €369m, according to a new report released by Mastercard.

The winning team’s takings will be a combination of official prize money, a boost for the club’s brand, enhanced media rights and an increase in the value of the squad according to the study commissioned by MasterCard. The losers will also benefit to the tune of an estimated £63million.

Professor Simon Chadwick, the author of the report, said: “Manchester United versus Barcelona is the dream final as far as most football fans are concerned. But the English and Spanish champions are two of the most successful teams off the pitch too.

“They will collectively scoop £173m, making this the most lucrative final in European club football’s history.”

The overall worth of the final has reached record levels due to the clash of the world’s two most valuable football teams.

(The eyes of the world will be on Wembley Stadium for the match)

The report also says the final will be worth £45million to the host city London, which was voted “World’s Leading Destination” at 2010 World Travel Awards. An estimated 110,000 supporters of both teams and other sports fans flock to the capital.

The report argues that there will be long-term economic benefits to London with increased tourism; civic sponsorship and a greater likelihood of hosting future sporting mega-events.

(London was voted “World’s Leading Destination” by World Travel Awards)

The city of the club that wins is likely to receive a boost of £15million through increased tourism and local expenditure. To find out everything that’s going on in the city of Manchester visit manchester.city.mobi and for Barcelona visit barcelona.city.mobi

The report also predicts that the final will produce record interest from Latin American countries as there are a total of 12 Latin American players in the two squads.

A further €100m is expected to be generated across Europe on the night as millions watch the world’s biggest single sporting event in pubs and bars, and gamble.

Latin America is also expected to enjoy a €100m windfall as football fans get swept up in football fever because 12 members of the two teams’ squads hail from the continent.

(Win or lose the game will deliver a huge cash windfall for Manchester United)

Professor Chadwick, who is the director of the Centre for the International Business of Sport at Coventry University, added: “The staging of the UEFA Champions League final in London this year will further bolster London’s reputation as one of the world’s most sporting cities.”

”London’s sport economy has grown rapidly in recent years and we estimate that by the end of the decade sport related economic activity may be worth up to €3.5bn.”

(Turkish Airlines - Europe’s Leading Airline - is the sponsor of Manchester United)

The game also represents an excellent promotional opportunity for its sponsor, Turkish Airlines, voted “Europe’s Leading Airline” by World Travel Awards, following a year in which it grew market share and continued to upgrade its fleet despite a backdrop of one of the harshest downturns in aviation history.

Sport Tourism – a booming industry
Sport Tourism is travel industry’s fastest growing sector, and contributed an astonishing 14 percent of overall travel and tourism receipts in 2010, according to WSDE Sport Tourism Expo, the only global exhibition and business forum dedicated to showcasing the full spectrum of Sport Tourism related products and services.

At a time when some traditional tourism trends are in decline, Sport Tourism continues to flourish and is set to grow exponentially in the next decade.

Yet the complex mechanics of Sport Tourism have not yet been fully understood or realised.  The annual WSDE Sport Tourism Expo aims to present the future business deals and source new contacts and markets, but also to gain invaluable insights from the advanced knowledge of market leaders.

Now in its second year, WDSE Sport Tourism Expo will take place in Bangkok, Thailand - Asia’s Sport Tourism Gateway - from 27-29 September 2011. FInd out about Bangkok at www.bangkok.mobi

To find out more visit www.sporttourismexpo.com